Ivy Ordinary - Care and Reproduction

The genus of ivy is 15 species. But in conditions of different closed premises, as a rule, only two evergreen lianas are cultivated: more common ivy and much less often - ivory Canaries.

These plants like to settle in forests, hanging over rocky places, rocks and climbing huge heights along trees. They are evergreen climbing bushes with air sucking roots, which like to climb to a considerable height.

From the species of ivy ordinary have already received many garden forms and varieties (ivy garden ivy in a variety of forms). They differ in shape (stellate, palmate, rhomboid, etc.), the color of the leaves and the size, sometimes pattern (golden, silver, yellow, cream-white or gray), fringing of leaf plates, specks on leaves. Often the plaits grow small in size, but in capacious pots they reach significant values.

The most famous is the "Brigitta" (with dark green leaves and light veins) and the "Eva" (with small leaves that are covered with dark green blobs, cream bordering leaf plates and greyish-green center).

The flower of ivy Canarian has leaves larger than ordinary ivy. When growing in pots, the first species most often reaches enormous sizes. Among the oldest varieties are the "Glory of Marengo" with whitish patches on large dark green leaves.

How to grow?

Ivy ordinary room is grown in boxes or pots. Ivy is very shade-tolerant; It can be placed in low-light areas, unsuitable for most plants. The variegated species require much more light. These same plants are grown in the open air. It is best to take out on the street at the end of spring, at the most at the beginning of summer. And in the autumn cold, the plants are again cleaned into the house, preferably before the heating is switched on. Thus, plants will have the ability to adapt in a drier environment. Ivy ordinary may need support, because it is a climbing liana with a lignified stalk. In spring and summer, liquid fertilizer should be added periodically to water.

Ivy Location

Ivy ordinary feels fine both in the penumbra and in the sun. It is important to remember, however, that the variegated species need to be exposed to well-lit places - to maintain a juicy color of the leaves. But Ivy's ivy prefers rich and bright lighting.

Optimal temperature

Room ivy is able to tolerate a decrease in the temperature level in winter to 5-6 ° C. But at this time of year another problem may arise-warmth and dryness in the room. It is desirable to maintain high humidity and a more or less cool temperature or place the plant in an unheated room. Suitable temperature in summer is 15-18 ° С.

Watering

Ivy, in fact, is not too demanding to water. It is regulated depending on the moisture level of the soil. In summer it is recommended to water not more than 2 times / week, and in winter - only once / week.

Transplantation

Young plants of ivy should be transplanted into new pots each year for the first couple of years. Later, we can confine ourselves to replacing only the surface layer of the soil.

Reproduction

The easiest and easiest way to reproduce is the ordinary cuttings. In spring, it is necessary to take apical cuttings up to 10 cm in length and place for rooting in soil - a substrate of leaf, humus, turf and fine sand, with a considerable predominance of peat. The temperature is kept at the same level - 15 ° C. The second method is the reproduction of small layers. It is necessary to prick long strands, having made small incisions in the bottom, and fix them in the ground with the help of iron (aluminum) U-shaped staples. And after rooted new shoots they are separated by scissors from the mother plant.

Ivy ordinary can easily be found in horticultural centers or flower shops: both separately and in voluminous composition with other tall plants (palm, Benjamin ficus, croton).